S.C. state tax refund delay

It's tax season, and many locals are getting a jump on W-2’s and tax preparations so they can get their refunds as soon as possible.

But some taxpayers were surprised to find they won’t get their state tax refund as soon as anticipated.

According to the South Carolina Department of Revenue, “tax fraud has reached pandemic levels. The SCDOR is taking a stand to protect taxpayers by enhancing our fraud prevention and detection efforts. Please expect a delay in receiving your South Carolina Individual Income tax refund this year – fighting fraud is worth the wait.”

"South Carolina is very sensitive about keeping people's information secure, and they will admittedly say they learned that the hard way after the security breach a few years ago," Thomas Spade, CPA and accounting instructor at College of Charleston, said. "They are doing everything they can to make sure you're the one filing your return and getting back your refund."

Locals expressed their frustration with the delay on Facebook Wednesday, some even suggesting the department pay a late penalty, as residents would be required to do so if they filed late.

"I don't think it's fair,” resident Elizabeth Ganaway said “If they expect me to give them interest on money I'm late in paying, then I do expect them to do the same. I don't think folks should go around being fraudulent…but we shouldn't all have to suffer for a few."

According to the state’s Department of Revenue, tax identity theft is the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Spade said if personal information is compromised, taxpayers could end up waiting significantly longer than the delay of a few weeks to get refunds.

S.C. taxpayers may be eligible for free, state-provided, credit and non-credit identity protection from CSID but must enroll with the agency by Oct. 1, 2016.